Moscow, Feb 13 (EFE).- Russian cybercrime suspect Alexander Vinnik, convicted in the United States for money laundering, has been freed as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia, his lawyer said on Thursday.<\/p>
“I have received confirmation from the (US) State Department. He is free,” his French lawyer Frederic Belo told the Russian TASS news agency.<\/p>
Belo added that Vinnik was transferred from Santa Rita Jail in California to Russia.<\/p>
Vinnik was arrested in July 2017 while on vacation in Greece.<\/p>
He was accused of laundering between $4 billion and $9 billion through the now-defunct cryptocurrency exchange BTC-E. <\/p>
Greece later extradited him to the US.<\/p>
During his detention in Greece, Vinnik staged several hunger strikes and requested house arrest, citing health concerns.<\/p>
US authorities accused him of laundering more than $4 billion and convicted him in absentia while he awaited extradition.<\/p>
Meanwhile, French prosecutors charged him with extortion and fraud.<\/p>
Russia also sought his extradition from Greece, but its request was denied.<\/p>
In May 2024, Vinnik pleaded guilty to the charges as part of a plea agreement with US prosecutors. EFE<\/p>
mos\/bks<\/p>
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